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A JOURNEY INTO THE CAPTIVATING SURREAL WORLD OF VITALIE BURCOVSCHI (SURREALISTLY)
Text: Maxim Nogotkov
Photo: Vitalie Burcovschi
February 6 2024
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Vitalie Burcovschi was born in Raduleni Vechi, Republic of Moldova. He studied performing arts at Alecu Russo University and worked in the Vasile Alecsandri National Theatre. Then he moved to the U.S. in 2009, delving into web development and IT. He participated in OpenAI’s beta research project in 2021.
Vitalie Burcovschi creates AI-generated art, and through his art he reminds us of the limitless possibilities of the human imagination.
Each person comes to creativity in a different way. Some people have been passionate about drawing since childhood, while others only realize years later that art is an integral part of their lives. How did it happen in your case? When, how and why did you decide to link your destiny with creativity?
Your works have a very recognizable style. Moreover, many of them seem to be drawn on canvas with pencils or paints. But quite often digital art seems devoid of this realism. How do you achieve this effect? Was it a planned concept or did it happen spontaneously?
The realistic effect in my digital works is a combination of traditional art influences and modern technology. I have always admired the tactile quality of pencil and paint on canvas. To replicate this in digital art, I meticulously blending AI-generated elements with manual enhancements in Procreate or Photoshop. This technique was more of an evolutionary process than a planned concept, growing from my desire to merge classic artistry with digital innovation.
Many of your images resemble metaphorical cards. They are deeply psychological and everyone will see in them what is close and understandable to them. Some of your works on Instagram even have their own descriptions, which also have a lot of hidden meanings and psychological aspects. What special meanings do you put into your works? What themes are especially important for you to reflect through your art?
My works are indeed metaphorical, exploring themes like time, relationships, and the subconscious mind. The psychological depth in each piece is intentional, inviting viewers to derive personal meanings. Influenced by Surrealist masters like Dali and Magritte, I embed hidden messages and themes that resonate with the complexities of human emotions and experiences.
Many of your images are full of symbolism. They often contain the theme of water and air, and different variations of the eyes. Your art makes us think and look inside ourselves. What do the symbols mean in your work? And how do you ensure that this meaning, which you lay down when creating an image, is correctly read by your audience? Is it important to you?
Water, air, and eyes are recurring symbols in my art, representing fluidity, clarity, and perception. While I infuse my work with these symbols intentionally, I also appreciate the subjective interpretations of the audience. Ensuring that the audience understands the intended meaning isn’t as crucial to me as evoking introspection and personal reflection.
You have had interesting and unusual collaborations. There is an opinion that artists decide to collaborate when they become cramped within their own creativity. Please tell us about this experience. What difficulties arose and what was the most interesting thing in the process? Have you ever had a desire to try yourself in completely new directions, perhaps even very far from the world of digital art?
Collaborations have been an avenue to explore new perspectives and push the boundaries of my creativity. The most interesting aspect is the fusion of different artistic visions. I’m always open to exploring new mediums and styles, perhaps even stepping outside the digital realm in the future.
There is a category of people who treat digital art with misunderstanding. What misconceptions do you think people may have about digital art? And what misconceptions and myths about this form of art have you had to debunk during your career?
A common misconception is that digital art lacks the depth and authenticity of traditional art. My journey has been about debunking this myth, showing that digital art can be as intricate and emotive. The challenge is in educating audiences about the potential and legitimacy of this medium.
You have managed to create a whole amazing world in your art. What inspired you when creating your fantastic worlds? How and what particularly influences your creative process and how do you manage to restore your resource on days when there is a creative crisis and burnout?
My inspiration comes from a blend of my cultural heritage, experiences in performing arts, and the surrealists who have influenced me. My creative process is a dynamic interaction between my imagination and the capabilities of AI tools. During creative blocks, I return to the basics – exploring nature, reading, and sometimes even taking a complete break to rejuvenate my creative energy.
The backstage of the creative process is always particularly attractive. It is always interesting to find out how a picture is born, what path it goes from conception to realization. Can you reveal this secret and describe your work process when creating digital art? How do you combine the technical aspects of digital art with your creative vision?
My process begins with a concept or emotion I wish to explore. I then translate this concept into digital form using DALL-E or Midjourney, followed by extensive refinement using digital tools like Procreate and Photoshop. The challenge lies in balancing technical precision with artistic expression, ensuring the final piece resonates both visually and emotionally.
What impact do you think digital art has had on the art world in general? And what do you think are the prospects for the development of this trend in art in the next 5-10 years?
Digital art has revolutionized how we perceive and interact with art, making it more accessible and diverse. In the next 5-10 years, I see it becoming even more integrated with virtual and augmented reality, offering immersive and interactive art experiences.
If there was a time machine and you could travel to any time from your past or future, at what point in time would you want to go and what would you say to yourself there in another time? What advice or recommendations would you give yourself?
If I could travel in time, I would visit my younger self in Moldova and encourage persistence and openness to new experiences. I would stress the importance of embracing every opportunity to learn, whether in art, technology, or life, as these experiences would be instrumental in shaping my unique artistic journey.
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